Improvement in bbeeoh-loading fire-abms



6 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Patentedl June 2, 1868.

s. MORRIS 6. w. as. P. M AUSER.

Breech Loading Fire IArm.

N, PETERS. mwumugnpnar. wnmngmn, D. c.

6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented .lune 2, 1868.

Breach Loading Fire Arm.

S. NORRIS W. 6L P. MAUSE.'

8 6 Sheets-Sheet 3. S. NORHIS r6L W.. & P. MAUSER.

Breech Loading Fire Arm. No. 78,603. Y e Patented June 2. 1868.

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

S. NORRIS &- W. & P. MAUSER.

Breech Loading Fire Arm.

Patented June 2, 1868.

N4 PETERS. Ptwwuthogm 6 sheetsesheet 5. s NoRRis e w. L P. MAUSER.

Breech Loading Fire Arm.

Patented June 2, 1868.

' s. Noams 6 w. 6L P. MAusER.

Breech Loading Fire Arm.

No. 76,666. 4 v Ptemed'mn62,1666.

@other gtst-rs atwtffirr.

SAMUEL NO'RRIS, or SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, AND WILELM MAUSERAND PAUL MAUSER, oEoBERNDoRF, wURTEMBUae, ASSIGNORS To SAMUEL VMORRIS.

LettersPatent No. 78,6043, dated Jime2, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN Bannon-LOADING PIRE-ARMS..

dlp Stimuli riferiti tu in tgest Titten what :mi mating ptit if langsame.

TO ALL .YVHOM IT CONCERN: I y A Beit known that we, SAMUEL NORRIS, ofpringlield, Massachusetts, United States of America, at present residing in London, England, and WILHELM `lllilusnn and PAUL MAUSER, both vot Oberndorf n the Neckar, in theKingdom of Wurtemburg, havelinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Fire- Arms, and we do hereby declare that the following is a full and` exact description` thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming apart of this spcccation. l

The said improvements relate, first, to breech-loading mechanism of novel construction for tire-armsfwhose breech is closed by a cylindrical hlock fitted to slide endwise in a chamber at the rear of the barrel. The said block is providedwith a catch or projection extending fromiits surface, and, to close the breech, is turned upon its axis, so as to bringthe said catch infront of a shoulder on theside of the breech-chamber, and thereby keep the said block securely up to 'the'breech In opening the breech, the catch is turned-back into line witha longitudinal aperture, whichall'ws the said catch to pass, and the block to be drawn back.

The cartridges are ignited by .the blow of a. firing-pin, which passes through the cylindrical block, and is driven forwardiby a spring,-which is held by a catch, and is released by means of' an ordinary trigger.

The said improvements consist chieiiy in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the main-spring, and I in the devices employed in .connection with the trigger for holding and releasing-the said spring. The latter is attached at one end to the extremity of a handle, which projects radially from therar of the cylindrical breechblock, the other `end of the said spring being i'ree,'and arranged exactly opposite the centre of tle said block, which is in line with the barrel. y

The rear end ot' the firing-pin lies in contact with a head formed on the end'of the spring, and when the latter is released.from its catch, it drives the" said pin forward into contact with the cartridge in the charge-V chamber. The said pin is kept in-contact with the head ofthe main-spring by alight spiralspring, which bears against thcrear end of the pin, and the forward end of the-breech-bloek.

The head ofthe main-spring -lies close to the end of the cylindrical block, except when the piece is cocked, and is formed with an inclined surface or ca m. This surface is arranged to act in such a manner upon the catch or stop that when the cylindrical block is turned in the' proper direction upon its axis, the main-spring is forced back behind the said catch, the piece being then cocked. i This movable st op is fixed upon the end of an elastic bar, which is secured at'its forward end, to the under sideot` the metal shoe, wherein the breech-chamber is formed. This bar is so formed andarranged'that, when free, its elasticity forces it upward, and keeps the catch in the proper position to hold the main-spring back.

'A central longitudinal aperture is formed in the elastic bar to receive a' small arm, which is pivoted in this aperture near the rear end of the said liar. The free end of this arm lies in contact with the under surface of the breech-shoe. A small lever, which is also pivoted to the elastic bar, extends under the free end of this arm, and lies in contact with' a shoulder or projection on the trigger, which is arranged in the usual position at the under side of the stock. When this trigger is pulled,'the saidshoulder or projection forces the small lever upward, and the said lever-acts on the small arm, which,.being thereby pressed against the bottom ofthe breechshoe, forces the elastic bar down, and draws the catch away clear of the spring. The latter being then released, llies forward, driving the tiringpin sharply against the cartridge, and causing its explosion.

' The breech-block is kept from beingaccidentally turned into such a position as will allow it to escape from its chamber by a catch connected with the elastic bar. When the block is turned with its stop 'in front of 'the shoulder which keeps it up to the breech, this catch fits into' a recess formed on the surface of the head of the main-spring, and prevents the turning of the block till the trigger is pulled.

The forward portion ofthe block may he made separate from the main or rear portion, and attached thereto in such a manner that the rear portion will turn on its axis without turning the forward portion, but so that both parts are kept firmly together endwise. The tiring-pin extends through the central-perforation in the said block.

This arrangement of parts is espeeiallyLappli'cable to central-lire cartridges, Ybut'our improvements may be adapted to rim-fire cartridges by a simple modification ofthe end ofthe firing-pin and block.

The said improvements also consist in thevconstruction" and arrangement of the devices for removing the V shells -o'f the exploded cartridges from the piece. The saidishells are drawn from the charge-chamber by an extractor, which is attached to the breech-block. This extractor is elastic, and has a claw or hook, which,4as4

the breech is closed, passes over the rim of the cartridge, into the proper position to take hold of the same, and draw it back when the breech is-opened. i l i l p The end of the barrel or charge-chamber is chamfered'or bevelled away, for a portion of its circumference, to receive the hook or claw ofthe extractor, which is thus kept in the proper position to extract the cartridge, without interfering with the turning of the block. This form ofblock with the chamfered 'end of the barrel is more especially applicable when cartridges are used which have a solid metallic disk or llange at the base.

The proper action of the block and extractor may be also elected by attaching a loose' piece to the end of the block to c'nrry the extractor, which lies 'in a groove or guide-way formedin the side of the breech-chamber, and prevents the turning of the loose piece with the rear portion-of the said block, when the breech is lbeing opened or closed.

This last-described arrangement is preferable with ordinary metallicj cartridges. l

.An aperture or slot is formed through the bottom of the brcechvchamber, and in this aperture is arranged a lever, `which forms the device for ejecting the cartridge from the said chamber. The extractor draws the cartridge back till its rear end rests von a nose or projection on the extremity of the long arm of this lever. When the piece is closed, this projection lies a little below the bottom of the chamber so as not to interfere with the movements of the block. Theshort arm of this lever extends into a longitudinal groove or channel, formed along the breech-block to allow the same to pass over the'said projection. This groove is' formed with a lateral extension in the proper position to allow the block .to clear the ejector when turned on its axis.

The longitudinal groove extends nearly to the forward end of the block, and the shoulder formed 'by itsv termination strikes the short arm of the ejector, when the block is drawn back, and jerks the long arm sharply upward, thereby throwing the cartridge out ofthe piece. i I' Thel said improvements relate, secondly, to certain modifications or alterations in needle-guns, and more especially to the arm known as'thei Chassepot gun. In the said Chassepot gun, the breech is closed by a cylindrical block, which is provided with a metal needle-guide, and a disk or ring of prepared India rubber, or like substance, to prevent the escape of gas atv the time of explosion. This. gun is constructed only for 'firing cartridges with cases of paper or other soft'material. These cases being consumed, no extracting 'or ejeetin-gdevices are required. The said'cartridges are ignited by a needle, which is driven forward by a spiral spring placed in the centre of the cylindrical block.'

The chief object of this part of our improvements is to adapt the said Chassepot gun to the firing of metallic cartridges. For this purpose, we remove the India-rubber washer and the metal guide from the breechblock, and attach to the forward end ofthe said block our improved extracting-device, as described in a former part of this specification. We also form an aperture through the bottom of the breech-chamber to receive our improved rejecting-device, which 'may be, in this case, attached to the under side of the breech-chamber or to the elasticl bar below the same. If desired, this ejector may be dispensed with, and lthe cartridges thrown out by simply reversing the arm. Y 4

We remove the needle, and substitute for the same a tiring-pin, which is arranged to strike the rear of the cartridge when forced forward by the spiral spring, which we retain.

The end ofthe barrel which is screwed into the breech-shoe is chambered for some distance, to receive the end ofthe block; or a ring or bushmay be fitted into the end of therbarrel, and a chamber so formed in the lsaid bush that the rim of the cartridge lies Hush or nearly ush with the rear of the'barrel.

The breechblock is adjusted by means of a handle, which forms the stopl for holding the said block when the breech is closed. j

.Description of the Drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan of the top of part of a` rifle with our improved breech-mechanism, showing the breech closed. I

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the line x fr, g. 1.

Figure 3 shows -the end of thebarrel ofthe said rifle.

Figure 4: represents detached portions ofour improved mechanism.

Figure 5 is a. plan ofthe breech of a rifle constructed according to our improvements, with parts in position for tiring. y

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section on the linex at', fig. '5, also showing the parts in position for firing.

Figure 7 is a similar section, showingthe position ot' the parts after firing.

Figure 8 is a similar section, showing the parts in position for inserting a cartridge.

Figures 9, 10, and 11 are transverse sections on the lines w w, y y, s z, tig. 5.

Figure 12 ,represents detached portions of our improved mechanism.

Figures 12 and 12b illustrate modifications of parts of the same.

Figure 13 is a plan, illustrating the adaptation of our improvements to the Ghassepot gun.

Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line :1:2 x2, g. 13.

Figure 15 represents detached portions of the said improvements.

Figure 16 represents the end ofthe barrel.

Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, illustrate modifications in this adaptation of our improvements,

Figure 20* illustrates another] modication of our improvements relating to` the Ghassepot and similar arms. I Like letters indicate the same parts in'eachof the figures.

The barrel A, figs. l, 2, 3, and 4, may be screwed or otherwise attached tothe metal shoe a, in which the breech-chamber is formed,'or tbe'said shoe and the barrel may be constructed i'n'oue piece.

The shoe e is formed with a tongue or extension, a2, at the root, through which a screw, o, isV passed into the stock B. I l

The end of the chargechamber A is recessed or countcrsunk, to receive therim ofthe cartridge.

The cylindrical block C is fitted to its chamber, a, inv such a manner as t'o slide and turn freely therein, but without unnccessaryslucliness or'pla'y. The front surface of the said block,- which closes the chamber A', ispreferably made slightlyconcave, to fit closely and evenly all round lthe base of a cartridge lying in the said chamber, without touching Athe central portionof the said base.

lThe projection or. stop f, on the-block C, which holds the same 4againstthe shoulder g when the breech is closed, is preferably so arranged that the handle of the said block is turned downward towards the right hand, as shown in iig. 1, to 'keep the breech closed.- v The shoulder or abutment 4g, on the shoe a, against which the said stop rests whlen thus turned down, is'preferably slightly inclined or bevelled, as shown in iig. 1, so as to act as a cam upon the projectionf, on the block'C, and draw the latter forcibly and'c'loscly-in contact with the end of the barrel A. v Y

The longitudinal aperturea3, in the top of the breech-c hamberal, is made ofljust sufficient width to allow the stop or projection f to pass freely when the' cylindrical block C is turned into the position to open the breech, as shown in tig. 11. v

Another shoulder, 7L, is formed at the lrear of this aperture a3, to act as a stop to the breech-block C, and

prevent its being drawn out of the chamber al, when the breechy is opened, in working the gun rapidly.v lf

desired, a stud or other device may be employed to forma stop, instead of the shoulder 7i. The longitudinal aperture a3 is continued'on one side of this shoulder L to the rear of the breech-chamber, as shown'in figs. 1

and 10; and by turning the block in theposition shown inl. these figures, and pulling the trigger, the saidl block can be removed from the piece when required.

` The handle l7', fonoperating th'e breech-block C, is formed upon or attached to the rear extremity of the v said block.

The main-spring c is-'placed-upon the outer or rear snrfaceof thc handle, and is preferably dove-tailed upon the ball or knob j', at the outer extremity ofthe said handle. i

A strong screw, Z, is also preferably passed through the centre of the said ball,and tappe d into the'end of the spring Ic, (see fig. 1;)

We sometimes construct the handle j with a groove, as shown in iig. 12, to receive the spring Ic, which lies between the flanges jk. These flangesform guards to kee'p dirt orfo'reign substances from gettingb'etween the hand and spring.

If it should be found necessary to use a more powerful spring than the one shown, the said spring may be formed with a curved portion extending over'the endv of the'- handle j, and secured at-the front of the same, or may be otherwise formed and arranged to act with the required force. l V

The head, k1, on the end of the spring l1, is preferably chambered or recessed, to receive the rear end ofthe firing-pin. i i i The inclined or cam-surface 7c3, on the head of the spring It, must be lso formed that, by its action on the movable catch m, the said spring will be drawn back to its full extentwheu the' handle j of the breech-block C is turned into the position shown in figs. -1 and 9.

The said movable catch projects upward througlran aperture, n, in the bottom of the shoe, and is of such a length as to hold the spring back whenthe piece is. cocked, yhilt td clear the bead, k1, of the said spring, and allow the sameto pass endwise over thesaid catch when thelatter is-drawn down into the position shown in iig. 7.

The elastic bar m', upon whose rear end the said catch is fixed or formed, extends nearly to the front end of the shoe a, to which its other end issecured by a. screw, o, or other suitable fastening. The said bar is .only

held upward by its own elasticity, and is therefore moved by'the application'oil a vcryslight force. thoughv perfectly secure till the trigger is pulled.

By forming the catch m -with ashoulder, m*, asl shown in fig. 12, the accidental discharge of the piece, before the breech is properly closed, is entirely prevented. The said shoulder re'sts upon the surface, u*, of the block, and prevents the drawing'down of the catch m till the handle of the block isturned quite down, as shown in iig. 1. The shoulder m* then coincides wi'ththe recess 0*, and can be drawnA down through the same when the trigger is pulled.

The trigger is pivoted or jointed upon'a piece, ql, projecting upward from the trigger-plate q,'aud is arranged in such a position, that, when pulled, the parta2 will act upon the free end ofthe lever r, attached to the elastic.

har fm. The said bar is thus forced upward, the arm s acting as a fulcrum, whereby the force exerted upon the trigger is caused to act through the said lever and arm upon the bottom of the shoe a, and force the elastic bar m down till the catch m is clear of the spring c.-` i v The firingjpin t is preferably made o f such a length as'zto leave 'espace between its front-end and the cartridge when the main-spring is in its forward position, so that when said pin strikes the cartridge it is free from the spring, and acting by the momentumresulti'ng from its velocity and weight.

.The light spiral spring u, in the centre of the cylindrical block-C, bears against the head t', on the rear e end 'of the ring-pin t, and against the shoulder e*, and its strength is vjust sufficient to carry the fpin t backward, and keep its head, t', in contact with the main-spring ic.

The extractor 'o isipreferably formed 'of steel. The hook or claw v3 is. properly formed and arranged to catch` the rim of the cartridge when pushed over. the same. The small groove alV allows the extractor to yield and pass freely over the rim of the cartridge. The bevelled or chamfcred portion, o', is so formed that the hook or lclaw `vwhen forced over the rim pf the cartridge, can turn freely with the block C.

When a cartridge is drawn from the charge-chamber, it is brought by the extractor v over the nose or pro jection, w, of the lever w. The shoulder c', on the block C, then strikes the short-.arm w, causing theprojection wl'to ily up and expel the cartridge in a lateral and slightly forward direction.

The groove or channel c2 allows thebloch C'to slide endwise over th\,ejector, and the'lateral extension, c3, of this groove allows the said block toturn properly on its axis. If found desirable, two of these extractora may be employed. l i

The block C is kept from turning round, and getting free from the shoulder g', by means of the catch m, which fits into the recess 7c3, in the head of the spring k. To,secure the vblock in vthis manner, thotrigger is pulled, to depress the catch m, while the handle j is turned down. -To 'cock-the piece, it is only necessary fo vturn the handle j up, and then again bring it'down, without pulling the trigger.

In the modification of our improvements, illustratedin figs. 56, ,7, S, the charge-chamber A is formed with a. groove, c, which is'a continuation of the groove a7. in" the breech-ohamber'al.

The cylindrical block C is provided with a loose' piece, C1, whi h closes the charge-chambergvand carries the extractor o. The said loose piece is formed with a neck or extension, c, which is fitted to turn freely in the central perforation o`f the part G2.

The two parts are kept' together endwise by the collar e, which fits the enlarged chamber in 4the part C, Iwherein it is introduced through the elongated aperture e2, iig. 12,01 the said neck may be formed 'with a groove or channel around its periphery, and a screw orpinimay be passed through the part Cz into the said groove,to hold the parts Cl C2 properly together.

The extractor slides in the groove or channel at, which is in this case continued to the rear of thechamber al, to allow the blockiC to he inserted and removed.

The groove c, (which forms the continuationoi` the. groove d,) in the charge-chamber Af, allows the necessary freedom to the extractor `as itis forced over theiim of the cartridge. By means of the groove d, in this` arrangement of parts, the extractor v, whileallowing the free endwise movement of the portion, C, of the block C, also acts as a key or stop, to prevent-the turning round of the saidportion.-4

In the modification of parts, illustrating theadaptation of our improvements to the 'arm known as the Chassepot gun, figs. 1'3, 14, 15, and 16, a."is the breech-shoe, in which the block or bolt D is iitted to slide and turn in the manner already described. t

. The said block is adjusted by means of the handle Di,V which also forms a. stop to hold the said block when the breech is closed, the said handle being then turned down in front of Athe' shonlderor abutment a5, as shown in ig. 13. The aperture a allows the said handle to pass when the block D is drawn back to open the breech. The said block is formed with a central perforation, to receive the spiral spring E, the said spring being sup ported upon the rod F, which extends from the piece Gr, at the rear of the block or bolt D. The forward vend of this rod F, in the said Chassepot gun, carries 4the needle for exploding the cartridges, which needle slides through the metal guide, which carries lthe Indiarubber disk or washer, and is fitted into the forward end of. the

block D.

In converting or changing the said gun according to our improvements, we remove the said needle from the end of the rod F, and attach thereto the striking-pin H, which may be secured in the holder F', or 'directly into the end of the said rod. We retain the main-'spring E and the hollow screw I, which is fitted into a screwthread formed in the rear of the block D, and forms the support for. the corresponding end of the spring E. We also remove the metal guide and India-rubber washer from the enddf the block D, und provide the latter with an extracting-device, J, which is in all respects similar to the extractor, il, of the piece illustrated in figs. 1, 2, 3, 4.

The ejccting-lcver may he arranged as shown iniig. 2, or may be pivoted upon the bar or spring Lf When this ejector is used, the groove in the block D, which in the Chassepot gun is provided to allow the said block to slide over thecatch L', is extended, to allow the said block to pass over the ejector, and is also provided with a lateral extension, to allow the block to clear the said ejector in turning. The shoulder formed at the end of the groove comes in contact with the short arm of the eject, and operates the same, as already described. If desired, the said ejecting-arm maybe dispensed with, and the empty cartridges removed, after extraction, by any other convenient means.

iIf desired, the hush A* may be extended, to lie iiush with'the shoulder wi, the block being reduced in length to a corresponding degree.

The said block, as originally screw, projecting through the side of the breech-shoe.

We nd it desirable to shorten the distance to which the block is drawn-back in opening the breech, and

for this purpose we fill up the end of the said groove, or place a stop therein, at the. proper distance, to' arrest the block D when its Vforward end is flush with the shoulder.

The aperture formed in the forward end ofthe block of the Ghassepot gun, to receive the metal needle guide, is now fitted with a bash, sf', which is formed with a\ central perforation, to allow the tiring-pin tol slide through the seme.

In gs. 17, 18, 19, and 2O the said Chassepot gun is shown, with other modifications. The breech-block or bolt D is shown, with a loose portion, D1, which carries an extracting-device, J, similar to the device employed formed, is provided with agroove or channel, which slides over the pointof a in the gun illustrated in figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8. This extractor slides in the groove rl, and thereby prevents th turning of the piece D1.

The piece D1 is secured in the block D by means of the screw D2,'whose point projects through the side of the block into the groove D3, in the neck of the piece D1. i

The ejector K, shown in this case, is similar in construction to that hereinbefo're described.

.The groove D4, in the block D, allows the latter to pass over the point of the said ejector, andthe lateral extension, D5, of the said groove, allows the block to turn. A

When the block D is drawn bach, the shoulder Ds strikes the' short arm of the ejector K, which is then caused to throw out the cartridge, as already set forth.

In this modification of parts we do not alter the piece G, or the key G', or grooves D7; neither do we remove or change the trigger M yor the 'bar L, which, by means of the catch Ll, holds the piece G and rod F back when the gun is cocked. v

It is obvious that, by o ur invention, but very slight alterations are required to adapt the Ghassepotgun to the firing of metallic cartridges, and, at the'same time, it is greatly improved with regard to rupi ity of working, durability, and in the facility with which any of its parts may be repaired or renewed. I

The Ghassepot and other arms which have a similarly-formed breech-chamber maybe provided with one of our improved bolts, as seen in tig. 20*, the said bolt haring the main-spring lc, firing-pin t, and extractingdevice v in all respects similar to those shown in figs. 1 and 2. p l,

In this modification of my improvements, I employ a stop, L2, which is pivoted to the bar L, and is drawn Gown out of the groove in the block C when the same is to be removed from the arm.A The said groove is extended laterally, to allow the block to turn in itschamber over the stop Lz. y

The bar L is extended beyond the stop L2, to carry the catch n, which acts on 1'the spring K, as already described.

With other slight modifications, our improvements may be .adapted to the conversion ot' muzzle-loading rifles into breech-loaders.

What We claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is p 1. The combination of a main-spring, Ic, formed substantially as herein described, with the handle of the breech-block C, and arranged to propel the tiring-pin or other strikingdevice o f a breech-loading {ire-arm,fsubstantiallyr as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The sliding block C, handle j, spring lc, and catch m of a breech-loading gun, constructed, combined, and operating in such manner that the piece is vcockedbyturning the said handle, substantially as herein set forth. i

3. Securing the breech-block C by means-of the recess 7c3 and catch m, substantially as and for the .purpose herein set forth. l v

" SAML NORRIS,

WILHELM MAUSER, PAUL MAUSER.

Witnesses to the signature of S. Nom'us:

GEORGE HASELTINE, i WM. ROBT LAKE. Witnesses to the signatures of WILHELM and PAULMAUSER! EMILE DUFOUR, WILLIAM SMITH, 

